Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Stuff I'm Excited to See in What's Left of 2009

I've said it before: This hasn't been the best year for horror. Just not that much out there, period, and out of what there is that's out there, even less worth our money. However, the second half of 2009 seems to be looking a bit better than the first half, and not just because I just had the pleasure of seeing Orphan (review to come). Tonight I'd like to shine the spotlight on four horror films I'm very excited to check out before the end of the year...

District 9August 14This one's much more science fiction than horror, but it definitely looks like it will deliver up a scare or two. The buzz is extremely positive, and the concept is intriguing. Sort of strikes me as "Alien Nation meets Predator", if you'll allow me to sound like a jerk-off studio windbag for just a second. On the heels of Moon, another very original sci-fi/horror, this flick gives me home that cinematic sci-fi has a bright future.

GraceAugust 14Vault contributor Wes Cavins recently submitted a review after attending a sneak preview, which was very positive. I've heard audiences have been pretty shocked by this one, which is always a good thing, as far as I'm concerned. And although the plot--about a mother who must feed her baby human blood--bears a passing resemblance to Little Shop of Horrors as BJ-C has pointed out half-jokingly, I still have a feeling this is going to be something worth checking out.

ZombielandOctober 9Just when you thought the zombie movie wave was finally over, along comes this one. And I don't know about you, but after checking out the trailer, I'm MORE than willing to give it a chance. This is definitely the most mainstream zombie film we've seen in years, and a nice prelude to the upcoming World War Z. Large-scale zombie comedy about a post-apocalypse, in which Woody Harrelson is a bad-ass ghoul-hunter? Count me the eff in.

AntichristOctober 23Loopy director Lars von Trier caused quite a stir at Cannes when he ridiculed members of the press for condemning his film on account of supposedly objectionable content. If that sentence doesn't make you want to see it, then we are two very different people. In all seriousness though, this tale of a troubled couple confronting the powers of Satan on a retreat in the woods has "WIN" written all over it. Plus, it stars Willem Defoe, who I once bumped into checking out the nudey mags in Tower Books in NYC. Not that that's relevant, just puttin' it out there...

15 comments:

You definitely need to lodge THIRST on there. I'd also recommend keeping your eye out for a German (though English language) film called MUST LOVE DEATH, it's a very charming and subversive horror/romantic comedy.

I agree, those films all look great and I'd also say that The Final Destination looks like a blast (how could you go wrong with 3-D?), Pandorum looks like a cool sci-fi/horror hybrid, Shutter Island looks like a return by Scorsese to the horror/thriller territory of Cape Fear, Sorority Row actually looks like a remake that could be good fun, The Road ought to be the most literate cannibal movie to come down the pike maybe ever, and The Box looks like it could score as an intriguing Twilight Zone-ish tale.

On top of all that, Trick R' Treat finally is coming to DVD - so I'd say the best of 2009 is definitely yet to come!

Wow, thanks for more great suggestions guys. I definitely want to keep an eye on Thirst, and Shutter Island has me mucho intrigued, I should've included those. And while I'm second-guessing, I have to say I'm getting curious about Jennifer's Body.

Definitely looking forward to most of these, not too interested in District 9.Very keen to see Grace and Zombieland and Jennifer's Body (despite fish lips Fox). Soo keen to see Antichrist, Willem Dafoe's arse, coitus in a tree made of arms and Satan, bring it!

District 9 promos and trailer has me very interested. I really like this style of documentaries such as REC, which I just saw and Cloverfield. A great way for horror and sci-fi to evolve and work it to the next level.

You forgot to include 9. you ALWAYS forget 9. give it a chance. Jeff was right, you really did forget Shutter island. It looks like it could end up being quite interesting. I'm still up in the air about Jennifer's body, since I really hate the un-foxy Fox. but If it's fun like Teeth and Dance of the Dead with it leaning towards black comedy it might work.

Which horror film *should* be remade?

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I've been fascinated with horror ever since my parents let me watch The Exorcist at 8 years old (what were they thinking??) and I ran up to my bed screaming when Linda Blair's eyes rolled into the back of her head.Although it often gets a bad rap from "mainstream" critics and audiences alike, horror has often been the most creative and vibrant movie genre of all, from Nosferatu to Saw. Some of the finest motion pictures ever made are part of the horror genre, including Frankenstein, Psycho, The Shining and my personal all-time favorite, George Romero's Dawn of the Dead.This blog is the culmination of my 25-year love affair with all things blood and guts--so check back here often for news and opinion on the world of horror. And remember...